Why You Should Never Mix Kratom and Alcohol

In this article, I will give you the scientific lowdown on the dangers of combining kratom and alcohol. Doing so can have short-term consequences and cause long-term damage. I will also provide suggestions on how to stay safe when using kratom.

Let's start with an examination of kratom and alcohol's impact on the body before discussing how they interact with each other.

You probably know how alcohol and kratom make you feel. But you may be less aware of the chemical interactions that occur in the body while these substances do their thing. Here’s what you need to know about the effects of kratom and alcohol in isolation. 

Mitragyna speciosa (kratom) leaves produce hundreds of natural compounds. But we can narrow down most of kratom’s effects to two indole-based alkaloids: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-HMG). Even then, mitragynine matters much more than 7-HMG.

Mitragynine is often described as opioid-like, although it belongs to a different class of compounds. However, studies show that mitragynine engages the body’s kappa and mu-opioid receptors, with these interactions integral to the alkaloid’s effects.

A study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in 2022 suggests that the metabolic conversion of mitragynine to 7-HMG produces a respiratory depressant effect.

But there is still a lack of scientific research into mitragynine, so plenty remains unknown about the alkaloid’s pharmacokinetics.

People take kratom for several reasons, even though the herb has zero approved medical uses. Kratom’s effects are dose-dependent and influenced by the strain. In general, low dosages are more energizing than high dosages. Red-vein kratom is also more energizing than white-vein kratom.

Furthermore, while many people take kratom with no issues, it is an addictive substance. Regular, heavy kratom use can lead to dependence, tolerance, and overdose, as well as withdrawal symptoms if you try to wean yourself off it.

Alcohol is consumed worldwide as a social lubricant and for recreational purposes. In rare cases, alcohol is used as an ingredient in medicines. But when most people think of alcohol, they think about getting “drunk”, an effect mostly induced by ethanol.

Drinking alcoholic beverages impacts the body in several ways, and the substance is often viewed as a double-edged sword. For instance, alcohol has a depressant effect, which can make you feel calm and at ease, but also cause impaired coordination and judgment.

Similarly, alcohol use produces various - and contrasting - behavioral effects. The substance can temporarily enhance mood, make you more sociable, and reduce inhibitions. But impaired judgment can result in poor decision-making, accidents, and worse.

Then there are alcohol’s physiological effects. Consuming alcohol can increase your heart rate, affect sleep quality, put a strain on your liver, heighten blood pressure, and more.

Finally, and perhaps most notoriously, alcohol is highly addictive. Heavy alcohol use can spiral into all kinds of nasty things, such as dependence, tolerance, poisoning, and withdrawal symptoms.

I get it. You don't want me finger-wagging about why combining kratom with alcohol is bad - you want to see the evidence! And that is understandable.

Thankfully, you don't need a science degree to appreciate the dangers of mixing kratom with alcohol. Here are four reasons why you should never even consider it.

The combined depressant effects of kratom and alcohol can negatively affect your central nervous system (CNS). Consuming both simultaneously can drastically reduce brain activity, potentially causing drowsiness and impaired coordination and decision-making.

More concerningly, the double depressant effect of alcohol and kratom presents a danger of heavy sedation and respiratory depression. This could result in lower oxygen intake, breathing difficulties, and, at worst, respiratory failure. A high dosage of either substance only increases the risks. 

Kratom and alcohol are hard on the liver and can potentially cause long-term organ damage. Inevitably, pairing the substances increases the demands on the liver and the risk of permanent problems. This is an even bigger issue if your liver is already compromised.

Scientific research shows an association between kratom use and liver toxicity. However, this seems rare, and experts are yet to find evidence of how it occurs and the risk factors. Even so, combining kratom with alcohol is likely unwise given how they affect the liver.

Taking kratom alongside alcohol could lead to severe gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort. Both can cause GI problems, hence why there is such a risk when combining the two. GI distress issues include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Kratom and alcohol are diuretic substances. Both are known to increase urination, leading to electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Mixing alcohol and kratom heightens the risk of this, which can have knock-on adverse health effects.

Since kratom and alcohol can have depressive effects, combining them may exacerbate mood and mental health issues. Prolonged low mood, long-term depression, and bouts of sadness are all potential worries. Taking kratom and alcohol for escapism also risks making things worse.

Alcohol use could also increase kratom dependence and vice versa. For instance, drinking alcohol impairs decision-making, which might lead to more kratom usage. From there, you may increase your alcohol intake to forget about your kratom addiction problems.

Substance misuse can spiral out of control and have life-threatening consequences. Pairing two addictive substances like kratom and alcohol puts you at increased risk of serious harm. 

So, taking kratom and alcohol at the same time is a no-no. But what about using the herb to ease a morning-after hangover? Providing the alcohol is out of your system by then, taking kratom is probably not going to have an adverse effect. But there is no evidence it will help.

If anything, consuming kratom while hungover could worsen symptoms. Dehydration is a primary cause of hangover symptoms and as a diuretic substance, kratom will only make you more dehydrated.

However, some Reddit users claim that kratom can help with an alcohol-induced hangover, providing you keep your fluids and electrolyte levels up. So, if you happen to try it, be sure to drink plenty of water.

We have so much time discussing the potential downsides of kratom, you could be forgiven for wondering if the plant is even safe to use! Let me reassure you that most kratom users have positive experiences.

Here are my tips for staying safe with kratom and avoiding the pitfalls of combining it with alcohol. 

Don’t combine kratom with alcohol or any other intoxicating substances. Avoid mixing kratom with prescription medication, as mitragynine may interfere with drug metabolization. You could even overdose on your medication.

Consult your doctor if you have queries about taking kratom with other substances. They may be able to come up with a solution specific to your situation.

Maybe you are worried that you won’t be able to avoid consuming an alcoholic drink after taking kratom. In that case, don’t keep alcohol at home or within easy reach. Making it harder to acquire alcohol should reduce the temptation.

Nowadays, most kratom products from high-quality brands come with clear directions for use.

These include suggested serving sizes and how often to take the product. While it is simple advice, following these instructions makes it more likely that you will have a trouble-free time.

Regularly exceeding dosage recommendations can lead to kratom dependence and various health problems. 

Scheduling tolerance breaks can help you avoid kratom dependence. Since kratom alkaloids are addictive, you must give your opioid receptors a break every so often to regain sensitivity.

Without tolerance breaks, you will need higher and higher dosages for the same kratom effects. Avoiding impaired decision-making induced by alcohol may improve your discipline during breaks. You may experience urges for kratom on days off, so don’t do anything to intensify them!

Scientific research on kratom is limited, so it is hard to make definitive claims about the dangers of mixing it with alcohol. But going by what we know about both substances, little good can come of it.

Kratom and alcohol have similar negative effects, which inevitably double up when taken together. This can worsen side effects and increase the risks of more severe consequences. I never combine alcohol with kratom, and I recommend that you don’t, either.